“ALLARY AT ARIAS” COMING TO ORIGINAL 108 NORTH MAIN STREET VENUE IN THE CREATIVE CAPITAL

[PROVIDENCE, RI] Allary, the legendary Providence club that, beginning in the mid ‘70s and extending for over a decade, played host to some of the world’s most important jazz artists, is returning to its original home to present jazz in its most refined, exciting forms.

Roger and Marina Kallab, owners of Arias, the venue that currently occupies the 108 North Main Street site of the original Allary, are committed to restoring one of America’s most important jazz clubs. “We are excited and privileged to be able to create ‘Allary at Arias,’” said Roger. “We think of ourselves as stewards of a great tradition that meant so much to our culture and to thousands of jazz lovers who made Allary their second home.”

The Grand Return of Allary takes place on Sunday, February 12 with Mike Renzi and the Rhode Island Jazz All Stars. “Mike was the pianist in the original club’s rhythm section that featured bassist Bob Petteruti and drummer Artie Cabral,” Marina explained. “He has accompanied the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, and, most recently, Tony Bennett. Mike is a four-time Emmy Award winner who legendary jazz impresario George Wein described memorably. ‘I’m a piano player,’ Wein said. ‘Mike Renzi is a pianist.’ To have Mike involved in this project is a gift from the jazz gods.”

Allary’s Sunday sessions were renowned from coast to coast. “We’re initially paying homage to those great afternoons with concerts that, like the originals, will run from 4-8pm,” said Roger.

Prior to the Grand Return and beginning on January 4, “Allary at Arias” will present Wednesday night sessions led by bassist Marty Ballou, who promises to bring an eclectic mix of jazz styles to the bandstand. “We are presenting jazz of the highest quality,” Marina said. “The standards of excellence that were maintained by the owners of the original Allary will not be compromised.”

The post-February 12 music calendar is under development. Roger added, “We wish to give special thanks to bassist and educator Dave Zinno, an international recording artist who is one of the ‘first-call’ players on his instrument, for helping to book our club. Drummer Artie Cabral also has been instrumental in making this dream of Allary a swinging reality. And this doesn’t happen without Mike Renzi.”

There was a time when one could not name America’s most important jazz clubs without including Allary – a warm, elegant, relaxed setting where international stars the likes of Jackie McLean, Bob Mover, George Coleman, Frank Foster, Pepper Adams, Art Farmer, Mark Murphy, and Johnny Hartman joined the giants of Rhode Island/New England jazz – including Art Pelosi, Dick Johnson, Hal Crook, George Masso, Artie Cabral, Bob Petteruti, Paul Schmeling, and so many others.